51.   Meantime, Ivanov, the Russian defense minister said his nation stands ready to help.

52.   Military analysts said cuts in the Russian defense budget forced the Pacific fleet to dump ammunition in the sea to reduce dumping costs.

53.   Russian defense officials said Monday that the paratroopers were still on standby at an airfield and would leave when permission was received for the flights.

54.   Rodionov is currently in Tokyo on a three-day official visit, the first by a Russian defense minister.

55.   Russian defense minister claims NATO planning ground attack.

56.   Russian defense minister said peace accord for Kosovo will stand.

57.   Russian defense officials gave no details about the planes of troops and supplies that arrived Friday.

58.   Rumsfeld to meet Russian defense minister after Central Asia swing.

59.   Russia is willing to play a leading role in establishing an international peace-keeping force for Kosovo, Russian defense minister Igor Sergeyev said Tuesday.

60.   Russian defense minister says peace accord for Kosovo will stand.